England vs Wales reaction: ‘Individuals let us down but it’s no watershed,' says Alun Wyn Jones

The defining second-row performance came from a young man in a white jersey, England’s Itoje

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In the scramble for players’ reactions after Saturday’s switchback Twickenham match, there was a flashback. To Nantes, September 2007, where Wales had just been knocked out of the World Cup, shockingly, by Fiji. We plonked our voice-recorders under the nose of Alun Wyn Jones, seeking an explanation.

It was 10 days after his 22nd birthday, barely 15 months into his Test career; he had yet to develop the faculty of the beaten sportsman to express something more than his disappointment. Only curt sentences passed his lips; no detail, no illumination.

Fast forward to the loss just endured against England, and the teeth were still gritted but the analysis came easier now. Asked whether Wales had been complacent to begin with as they clunked around Twickenham like a car filled with the wrong fuel, Jones replied smoothly: “You want me to say ‘yes’ but the honest answer is ‘no, of course not’.

“I’ve been here three times and won so I’m pretty comfortable here, but obviously that didn’t show in the first-half performance.

“As a senior player, it’s very easy to tell other people to do their job but ultimately we’re professionals and every individual has to rely upon themselves and be sure of themselves. We didn’t do that as individuals and then obviously you splinter as a side.”

By the time the glue was reapplied Wales were 18 points adrift. By the end, they had managed the remarkable feat of scoring three tries away to England and losing. The most daunting of summer tours awaits: three Tests in New Zealand in June. First, there is Italy in Cardiff on Saturday, with second place in the Six Nations to play for. A let-down or an improvement? The team under Warren Gatland since 2008 has finished first three times, fourth three times, and third the last two years.

The relative longevity of the Kiwi coach combined with the laboured nature of Wales’ start and the revival at the finish prompted thoughts of whether change was nigh, in coaching and personnel. Rhys Webb looked ready to reclaim the No 9 jersey. Sam Warburton may need time to recover from the accidental blow to his head from Jones’ knee, so the footballing Justin Tipuric is likely to come in. The vivacity of Wales’ Under-20s, who thrashed England on Friday, would be welcome.

“There’s another game left and it wouldn’t surprise me if changes are made,” said Jones, who unusually was substituted with only 62 minutes. Did he see this a watershed moment for a style that eked out a win over France two weeks ago but has very rarely cracked the southern-hemisphere nut?

“I wouldn’t say it’s a watershed,” he said. “I think it’s a realisation, off a pretty tough year, but that’s no excuse. I was in a team knocked out in the pool stages of a World Cup in 2007, new coaches came in and we had a Grand Slam in 2008. Is it history repeating itself? Yes, but in the white jerseys. These things happen.”

The defining second-row performance came from a young man in a white jersey, England’s Maro Itoje. “I said he would have an influence on the game and he did that,” Jones admitted.

“Our tackle count was down but he made a great break and set up their only try. He had that influence and I thought he was pretty special. It’s his application. At a young age it’s very easy not to apply yourself in the international arena as you do domestically and it’s a credit to himself that he has been able to do it.”